Reasonably priced custom lids?

[becky46]

Hi all, I just got a Waterbox Marine X 110.4 and I'm looking for a custom lid. What are the most reasonably priced lids available?

I was looking at Clearview, and the base was $232. Okay, pricey, but I'll bite the bullet. But it seems absolutely nuts to me for some of these addons. If I want two feed doors on opposite ends of the tank, this addon is $80!!!! ... two holes drilled into plastic. Maybe I'm not seeing the complexity of a feeding door, but this seems like extortion. Seems like kraken, TopLids, etc. are also priced so highly. I get this ain't a cheap hobby, but c'mon.

Am I missing something? Do I need to buy a 3D printer and become a bajillionaire printing lids??????

Actually, though - what do y'all recommend?

 

[Susan Edwards]

It is pricy. It is all custom, though they have "standards". I don't regret mine. Worth it. I have a 3 pc lid with 3 feed doors. I will say that the doors can fall easily into the tank and do not float. For a pet sitter I glued foam on top. Looks like crap until we can do something nicer, but at least the lid floats I got the Pisces and paid for the inserts. Beats the DIY I had started with

 

[Tcook]

I have a Clearview on my 120 and love it. Spent years with egg crate and that absolute garbage kit from BRS. Toplids have those nice feeding cups.

 

[exnisstech]

My clear view was cheaper I'm sure because more demand, reefer 170. But I really don't see the need for a feed door. Just lift the lid and dump /squirt the food in.

 

[becky46]

I respect all these lids. I have a Kraken on my WB Peninsula 25. I bought it after a fish jumped through my terribly made DIY lid. Part of this is a rant against the prices. Am I missing any other brands that are worth looking into?

 

[Eldritch_blast]

just had a custom lid made for a 48"X 24". Was able to request basically all notches and cutouts I desired in my sketch which were two cutouts for the legs on the light rail, auto feeder, UV return, and for cables in the corners. and got two lovely large feeding/maintenance ports. Think I paid about $350 for it. Fits like a glove and looks great. Is two pieces so dont have to pull whole thing off for getting into tank.

Found him on Facebook I think it was, Reefin Aint Ezy.

I wasnt thrilled with it taking like 3 times longer than I was originally quoted, and would get a bit of hostility when checking on order for an update...but I am quite pleased with what finally showed up

 

[Lps_lover12]

I have a clearview on my waterbox frag tank and love it. It was the cheapest one when compared to top lids or kraken when I priced it out and it was worth every penny. Very good quality and fits perfect, you can’t go wrong with clearview. Also good customer service with any questions I had.

 

[Cell]

All the major custom lid makers are priced similarly, bit I've found the quality and fit to vary greatly. I'm a big fan of @Kraken Reef Lids design. It's a much cleaner and seamless look compared to Clearview's Lids.

 

[LOVEROCK]

Any tips for measuring ? That’s the only thing holding me back from placing a order !

 

[Lps_lover12]

Any tips for measuring ? That’s the only thing holding me back from placing a order !

Take your time and follow what they say to measure and measure more then once. Which company did you go with?

 

[DaneGer21]

I went Clearview also. I have a large tank, 60x36x24 so I needed something custom for sure. Two doors added so I can hang my algae clips from the eurobracing and not a suction cup. Pricey but worth it as my wrasse loves to jump at any food that’s floating.

 

[Top_Lids]

Hey guys, here's some pics of our Marine X 110.4 lids. These are clear polycarbonate, and we have a line of economy lids releasing soon as well for all tank sizes.

To the OP, if you can figure out how to 3D print lid frames affordably and very strong, you have a job offer, lol